But a Denver win also meant Brock Osweiler would start over Manning in the playoffs.
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Fitzpatrick, who had thrown just one interception in the Jets’ previous five games – all wins -w as picked off by Leodis McKelvin in the end zone early in the fourth quarter with NY driving.
Kubiak’s decision to turn to Manning in Sunday’s win over the San Diego Chargers with just over eight minutes remaining in the third quarter was rooted in the same logic. Under Osweiler’s leadership, the Denver Broncos snagged a phenomenal win against the New England Patriots.
Do not blame Brock Osweiler.
Would either decision really come as a surprise for the Broncos, whose 27-20 victory over the Chargers fit the script of their season – by being anything but routine?
Chiefs 23, Raiders 17: In Kansas City, Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes and the Chiefs collected a franchise-best 10th straight win.
– Osweiler started and threw for 232 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown, and got pulled even though his coach conceded the quarterback did nothing wrong.
– The Broncos (12-4) earned home-field advantage in the AFC less than two weeks after heading into their 15th game on a two-game losing streak and two games behind New England.
So, after his 29 plays against the Chargers, the Broncos were going to evaluate how Manning bounced back from the work as they decide whom to start in the playoff opener. That one wasn’t Osweiler’s fault.
Current Broncos slot receiver Jordan Norwood was a future contract player two years ago.
“I think he’s OK”, Kubiak said. For the next two weeks, while the Broncos wait to find out who will be their first playoff rival, the pressure to bring back Manning to the QB1 spot will be greater and greater on Gary Kubiak. That is to not allege the 39-year-old Manning was Peytonesque in his 1st appearance since Week 10: He was exclusively 5 of 9 for 69 yards & no scoring passes.& let’s not overlook just how frightful the five-time NFL MVP was when he was the unquestioned starter this season, together with the hard-to-believe 17 interceptions, 59.9 completion proportion & 67.6 passer rating.
On Monday, Kubiak said he thought “everything was OK” with Manning’s foot. “It’s been a little weird here for me, too”.
It wasn’t the most-prolific performance of Manning’s career.
When Manning came into the game, the team responded-and so did the offensive line. His return sparked the team into high gear and they took control of the game from that point on. “We beat the top teams”, said cornerback Chris Harris Jr. “That’s what I concern myself with”.
And finally, a hearty congratulations to the Tennessee Titans, who at 3-13 were bad enough to clinch the No 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
“It was tough on the emotions”, Osweiler said. “Ball security” is near the top of the list.
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However, it looks like the Denver Broncos might be leaning more on starting and sticking with Osweiler. His status is trickier in large part because the Chargers are also dealing with the potential move to Los Angeles. Head coach Gary Kubiak approached him during halftime, Manning said, and asked, “If we need you, can we put you in there?”. If Manning struggles in the playoffs, his days with the Denver Broncos are likely numbered. Of the previous seven, they’ve been to the Super Bowl five times and lost their first game twice, including in 2012 to Baltimore.
